Results 1-20 of 52,107 for speaker:Micheál Martin
- Ceisteanna - Questions: Cross-Border Co-operation (19 Nov 2025)
Micheál Martin: I thank all of the Deputies for raising important issues. Deputy McGreehan in the first instance correctly identified that we are delivering results in respect of the shared island unit. It is practical and impactful. It is not about rhetoric. We have had rhetoric for 60 or 70 years and longer. It is about getting things done and delivering, and that is what we are doing. I take the...
- Ceisteanna - Questions: Cross-Border Co-operation (19 Nov 2025)
Micheál Martin: These questions are on the shared island unit so I will keep it there. Deputy Devlin raised Dundalk IT and Queen's University and I have explained this. With regard to Dublin and Belfast and the night-time economies, we are very anxious to really develop the Dublin-Belfast economic corridor. The councils are good. I get the point on the night-time economies. I will look at it in terms...
- Ceisteanna - Questions: Cross-Border Co-operation (19 Nov 2025)
Micheál Martin: It has done economic studies as well as studies on primary care and health. Very good studies are being done by the ESRI and there will be more. More data will be coming next month. Research is also being done by the National Economic and Social Council. To respond to Deputy Quaide, we are doing work in the area he mentioned but there is potential for more work if we can get a viable...
- Ceisteanna - Questions: Cross-Border Co-operation (19 Nov 2025)
Micheál Martin: Yes, but we do not want to undermine and kill what is a good initiative.
- Ceisteanna - Questions: Cross-Border Co-operation (19 Nov 2025)
Micheál Martin: Deputy Boyd Barrett raised what is a separate issue really. I would disagree with Deputy-----
- Ceisteanna - Questions: Cross-Border Co-operation (19 Nov 2025)
Micheál Martin: I cannot account for the British-----
- Ceisteanna - Questions: Cross-Border Co-operation (19 Nov 2025)
Micheál Martin: I will come back to Deputy Boyd Barrett another day on that.
- Post-European Council Meeting: Statements (19 Nov 2025)
Micheál Martin: I attended a meeting of the European Council on 23 October in Brussels. The substantial items on the agenda included support for Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East, European security and defence, competitiveness and the green and digital transitions. Leaders also had a first strategic discussion on housing and the Euro Summit. Migration was also discussed, as well as Moldova...
- Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (19 Nov 2025)
Micheál Martin: Is it a group scheme?
- Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (19 Nov 2025)
Micheál Martin: The Deputy wants flexibility in the multi-annual funding. I will talk to the Minister to see whether there is anything that can be done there or not.
- Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (19 Nov 2025)
Micheál Martin: There is a combination of issues in terms of the reconstitution of the group of volunteers. Deputy Boyd Barrett raised the issue that Ringsend does not have capacity. We have been engaging and have appointed-----
- Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (19 Nov 2025)
Micheál Martin: I know and we have allocated billions of euro now so hopefully we can get it done. Deputy Quaide raised the issue of Balyhooly and the basic quality of water. I have spoken to Irish Water representatives about the Cork situation more generally in terms of water quality issues and they are working on that. Deputy McGreehan again raised the issue of habitats and Dundalk Bay. Again, I...
- Ceisteanna - Questions: Cross-Border Co-operation (19 Nov 2025)
Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 17 to 31, inclusive, together. Our programme for Government sets out an ambitious agenda for building our shared island. Yesterday, the Government made a major funding commitment of over €50 million through our shared island fund to ten new programmes. We are investing for the future to improve people’s lives and strengthen connections...
- Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (19 Nov 2025)
Micheál Martin: Sorry, the which?
- Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (19 Nov 2025)
Micheál Martin: I thank all of the Deputies. A comprehensive number spoke in respect of the responsibilities of Irish Water, particularly in terms of wastewater treatment plants and flood relief schemes. Deputy 'Chap' Cleere raised the issue of a series of flood relief schemes in his constituency. I do not know why the planning process should take two years and that is something we need to analyse...
- Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (19 Nov 2025)
Micheál Martin: It is unacceptable and a terrible imposition on the families concerned.
- Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (19 Nov 2025)
Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 16, inclusive, together. The Cabinet Committee on water quality oversees implementation of the programme for Government commitments in relation to the range of issues affecting Ireland’s water system. The committee last met on 30 October and the date of its next meeting has not yet been scheduled. The committee is informed by the work of the...
- Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (19 Nov 2025)
Micheál Martin: I am sure the Deputy will accept that the Minister will work with absolute bona fides in this regard. Any decision the Minister makes, on foot of advice, will be in the best interests of the safety of women and also for the best outcomes in terms of the delivery of their babies and children. I will ask the Minister to engage with the Deputy. The Minister has a lot of issues on the table at...
- Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (19 Nov 2025)
Micheál Martin: Nationally, CDNT waiting lists have fallen by 18%. More importantly, workforce growth is a priority. Despite recruitment challenges, staffing across the 93 CDNTs grew by 26%. That is an extra 415 people between October 2023 and 2025.
- Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (19 Nov 2025)
Micheál Martin: The vacancy rate has come down. It now stands at 18%, down from 29%. What the Deputy has outlined in Tipperary is a very serious issue. I think the Deputy said the vacancy rate will be 72% by the end of the year. Something is wrong there. I do not know what-----